Celtics surprise no one in opener

While New England sports fans were watching the Red Sox win a World Series, the Celtics opened their season with no surprises.

Their 93-87 loss to the Toronto Raptors in Canada on Wednesday night gave a pretty good glimpse of what things should be like in this rebuilding year.

The Celtics were good at times, not so good at other times, had trouble rebounding and struggled score points on a consistent basis.

The up-and-down nature figures to be the way Boston plays, especially without Rajon Rondo (knee injury) running things from the point guard spot.

The Celtics play their home opener tonight when the Milwaukee Bucks visit the TD Garden (7:35 p.m., TV: Comcast SportsNet; radio: WBZ 98.5-FM) to open a difficult month with 18 games in 30 days.

The Celtics got off to a good start against the Raptors, had difficulty in the second quarter, trailed by 16 points early in the third quarter, pulled ahead early in the fourth quarter, then faltered at the end.

Forward Jared Sullinger returns tonight after he sat out the opener serving a one-game team suspension. Sullinger was punished for being charged in a domestic assault case in late August.

Guard Avery Bradley’s status will be determined today after he was tested for a possible concussion on Thursday.

Bradley was hurt in a fourth-quarter collision with Kyle Lowry as they went for a loose ball, and the test was negative, though he will be reevaluated today.

The Celtics went with a starting lineup of Vitor Faverani, Brandon Bass, Jeff Green, Gerald Wallace and Bradley. Sullinger may get the call against the Bucks, and if Bradley is unable to play, he could be replaced by Jordan Crawford.

Sullinger would provide help on the boards where the Celtics were outrebounded, 48-33, and allowed 19 offensive rebounds. He showed promise as a rebounder during his rookie season before undergoing back surgery in early February.

The Celtics also turned the ball over 22 times for 28 points, an area of concern late last season and during the playoffs against the New York Knicks when Rondo was out.

Green was a bright spot for the Celtics, getting 25 points, but Wallace took only one shot in 40 minutes, and more offensive production is going to be needed from him.

Faverani, making his NBA debut, had some solid moments and finished with 13 points and three blocked shots, but he only came up with three rebounds, not enough for the team’s only true center.

The Bucks are also looking for their first win after falling behind early and losing to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, 90-83. They have a revamped roster featuring O.J. Mayo, Gary Neal and Caron Butler.

Sullinger option

The Celtics announced on Thursday that they have picked up Sullinger’s contract option for the 2014-15 season, as was expected. Sullinger will earn about $1.4 million next year. … The Celtics have now dropped three straight season openers, losing in New York in 2011 and Miami in 2012. … After facing the Bucks, the Celtics play five games next week, four of them on the road with stops in Detroit, Memphis, Orlando and Miami.